Zamfara Assembly Bye-Election Declared Inconclusive By INEC

Zamfara Assembly Bye-Election has been declared inconclusive by INEC.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Kaura-Namoda South Constituency bye-election in Zamfara State inconclusive.

The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University, Gusau, made the announcement, citing that the margin between the leading party and its closest rival was less than the total number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in polling units where voting was cancelled.

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Cancelled Polling Units

Elections were cancelled in two registration areas in Sakajiki and Kyambarawa wards:

• Sakajiki (Code 06): Two polling units affected, 1,357 registered voters, 1,298 PVCs collected.

• Kyambarawa (Code 05): Three polling units affected, 4,088 registered voters, 1,964 PVCs collected.

In total, 5,446 voters were registered in the affected areas, with 3,265 PVCs collected.

Election Figures

The results before cancellation showed:

• APC: 7,001 votes

• PDP: 5,339 votes

• Margin: 1,662 votes

However, since the margin was less than the 3,265 collected PVCs in the affected polling units, INEC declared the election inconclusive in line with Sections 24 (2 & 3), 47 (3), and 51 (2) of the Electoral Act 2022.

APC Reacts

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) described the election as “tough and tense,” while appreciating voters for their resilience.

In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using intimidation against voters.

“No doubt, the election was tough, tense, and conducted under harsh conditions as the government in power used all its illegal machinery to threaten and harass the electorate, yet the people remained focused and resilient,” the statement read.

The party further credited its performance to the support of Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar and Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence.

The APC also alleged that the PDP-led government in Zamfara has failed to provide good governance and warned against any attempt to alter the people’s mandate.

The party called on its members and supporters to remain calm as the electoral process continues, assuring that it will “resist any move to subvert the will of the people.”